Brussels, 23/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - In the future, it is possible that Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg will no longer provide the main port facilities in Europe. A European Commission proposal aims to make 319 other maritime ports more efficient throughout the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) so as to better distribute the transit of merchandise in Europe and to tackle the massive increase in goods via ports. The Commission is therefore proposing legislative measures to ensure the financial autonomy of these ports and transparency in the selection procedure for providing services.
On Thursday 23 May, European Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas presented a package of measures, including a regulation and communication, whose combined action should help to “bring Europe's port services into the 21st century… Our seaports are vital gateways, linking our transport corridors to the rest of the world... But we are facing major challenges in terms of congestion, traffic growth and investment. More of our ports need to reach these high standards”.
The Commission points out that ports such as Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg are working very well and accounted for 1/5 of a market that, in 2011, see 3.7 billion tonnes of goods pass through European ports. Other ports are not functioning as well and sources close to the matter mentioned those in the Mediterranean. This performance disparity has repercussions on the logistical chain (detours, congestion, very little short distance maritime transport) and creates distorted competition between European ports. The Commission intends to correct this situation by upgrading these 319 ports, particularly because a 50% growth in cargo handled in EU ports is predicted by 2030.
Liberalisation of services. The European Commission is proposing to ensure the free provision of services in these ports by way of more transparent procedures for recruiting service providers. This will mean an end to the abusive use of exclusive rights established by certain operators. Increased competitive pressure is expected to help guarantee more reliable services and better quality, suggested the Commission. This opening up of the market will only involve piloting, tugboat, supply, and dredging and waste management operations.
Transparent prices. The Commission is also proposing to leave it up to the ports themselves to set out and collect fees for using infrastructure and allocating it. The authorities will therefore have more autonomy. They are also requested to take environmental performance into account. Transparency will be the watchword, particularly with regard to public funding and avoiding competition distortions. Commissioner Kallas refutes the claim of interference with commercial activities and explained that this is not about regulating prices but rather the means to create an environment where prices paid are fairer and more proportionate and not influenced by non-commercial considerations. This will not involve the port authorities publishing all their accounts but they will be able to provide this information to national or European monitoring authorities.
Intermodality. The European Commission will also ensure that these 319 ports (83 on the core TEN-T network and 236 on the global network) are well connected to the rest of the logistical chain on the continent. Funding for the Connecting Europe Facility is expected to help develop intermodal hubs that are linked up to railway, river and road networks. The Commission is also hoping to see a significant increase in parts of short distance maritime transport (up to 8%).
Social dialogue. The Commission has therefore developed a soft law and non-legislative approach on the social chapter, which promotes consultation. As from next month, it will be setting up a social dialogue committee for the ports where employers and employees will be able to meet and discuss problems concerning the working conditions of those working in the ports. The first meeting is already planned for 19 June and will focus on health, safety and training issues. In 2016, the Commission will assess the progress made and could then develop legislative proposals. The two previous packages (2004 and 2011) failed due to disagreements involving the social chapter.
The airport package will now be analysed and negotiated by the European Parliament and the Council. Legislative measures are expected to come into force in 2016 but a transition period has been planned for contracts that are already in place up until 2025.
The first reaction of the European Communities Ship-owners' Association (ECSA) was to look at the relevance of leaving out the legislative proposal on questions relating to handling, passenger services and work in the ports. (MD/transl.fl)